thật ra
Definition
- Adverbial phrase:
- Actually / In fact / In reality: Used to introduce a statement that corrects a previous misunderstanding, presents a contrasting truth, or reveals the real situation. It often precedes a clarifying or surprising fact.
Usage Examples
- Adverbial phrase:
- Anh ấy trông trẻ vậy thôi, thật ra anh ấy đã 40 tuổi. (He looks young, but actually he is 40 years old.)
- Tôi nghĩ cô ấy đang bận, nhưng thật ra cô ấy đã về nhà rồi. (I thought she was busy, but in fact, she had already gone home.)
- Thật ra, tôi không thích cà phê lắm. (Actually, I don't like coffee very much.)
Advanced Usage
- Used to soften a contradictory opinion or to introduce an honest confession.
- Món quà rất đẹp. Thật ra thì, đây là món quà tôi thích nhất. (The gift is beautiful. To tell the truth, this is my favorite gift.)
Variants and Related Words
Thực ra: An exact synonym with identical meaning and usage.
- Thực ra, tôi không biết tin đó. (In reality, I didn't know that news.)
Thực tế là / Sự thật là: Meaning "The reality is / The truth is," used similarly to introduce a factual statement.
- Sự thật là chúng tôi đã hết vé. (The truth is we are out of tickets.)
Synonyms
- Actually: Used to state a fact or reality.
- In fact: Used to emphasize truth, often correcting an idea.
- Really: Used to assert the truth of a situation.
- In reality: Used to state what is true, as opposed to what was thought.
Related Phrases
- Nói thật là / Thành thật mà nói: Meaning "To tell the truth / Honestly speaking," used to preface a frank statement.
- Thành thật mà nói, dự án này khó thành công. (Honestly speaking, this project is unlikely to succeed.)